Crestview woman's viral videos are pug-a-licious

The pugs' popularity has led to a one-year endorsement deal with Getpetbox.com, according to owner Amy Forehand.

MATTHEW BROWN / Crestview News Bulletin

By MATTHEW BROWN / Crestview News Bulletin

Published: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 05:00 PM.

CRESTVIEW — When Drew Forehand looks at the Vine.co account for his mother's four pugs he can't believe his eyes.

More than 21,000 followers, it says.

“I would have never thought that they would be that popular,” the 23-year-old said. “They definitely have more followers than me.”

Rise to fame

It all started last December when Drew's mother, Amy, shot a brief video of Taz, Bitsy, Gup and Caesar wearing party hats for her birthday. She posted the clip on an account she named "Four Florida Pugs."

“It got over 8,000 likes and over 6,000 revines,” she said. A revine is when visitors repost the video on their pages.

The birthday video really set if off for the pugs, which range from 10 to 7 years old.

“With the first few vines, they didn’t get many (followers), but with the birthday one, I was surprised,” Amy said. “By January they had like 3,000 followers and now nearly 22,000.”

Business deal

Amy, who set up Four Florida Pugs accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, shoots the six-second videos — 172 to date — with her cell phone.

“I try to do (a new post) every two days,” she said. “I just dress them up and have them do silly things.”

The clips caught the attention of Getpetbox.com, a pet supply company.

“In March, we signed a contract for a year,” Amy said. “We have to video them with a (Getpetbox.com) box and post them to (the company’s) social sites.”

Calling Ellen...

As for the future, Amy wants to see the pugs appear on her favorite television programs including the syndicated talk show “Ellen” and “Cesar’s Way” on the National Geographic Channel.

She also hopes to receive more endorsements — and followers.

“We would like to get in the 500,000 (range) eventually,” Amy said.

So, why pugs?

The Forehand family has always wanted to have pugs since watching the film “Men in Black." The family got the first pug in 2005.

Now, Amy is just happy that her pets are bringing attention to North Okaloosa County.

“For someone in Crestview to have 21,000 followers (on Vine.co) is pretty cool,” she said.

CRESTVIEW — When Drew Forehand looks at the Vine.co account for his mother's four pugs he can't believe his eyes.

More than 21,000 followers, it says.

“I would have never thought that they would be that popular,” the 23-year-old said. “They definitely have more followers than me.”

Rise to fame

It all started last December when Drew's mother, Amy, shot a brief video of Taz, Bitsy, Gup and Caesar wearing party hats for her birthday. She posted the clip on an account she named "Four Florida Pugs."

“It got over 8,000 likes and over 6,000 revines,” she said. A revine is when visitors repost the video on their pages.

The birthday video really set if off for the pugs, which range from 10 to 7 years old.

“With the first few vines, they didn’t get many (followers), but with the birthday one, I was surprised,” Amy said. “By January they had like 3,000 followers and now nearly 22,000.”

Business deal

Amy, who set up Four Florida Pugs accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, shoots the six-second videos — 172 to date — with her cell phone.

“I try to do (a new post) every two days,” she said. “I just dress them up and have them do silly things.”

The clips caught the attention of Getpetbox.com, a pet supply company.

“In March, we signed a contract for a year,” Amy said. “We have to video them with a (Getpetbox.com) box and post them to (the company’s) social sites.”

Calling Ellen...

As for the future, Amy wants to see the pugs appear on her favorite television programs including the syndicated talk show “Ellen” and “Cesar’s Way” on the National Geographic Channel.

She also hopes to receive more endorsements — and followers.

“We would like to get in the 500,000 (range) eventually,” Amy said.

So, why pugs?

The Forehand family has always wanted to have pugs since watching the film “Men in Black." The family got the first pug in 2005.

Now, Amy is just happy that her pets are bringing attention to North Okaloosa County.

“For someone in Crestview to have 21,000 followers (on Vine.co) is pretty cool,” she said.